PETRONAS is a decade away from the Sarawak Regatta.

KUCHING, Oct 27: PETRONAS continues its commitment to Sarawak through the sponsorship of the Sarawak Regatta which enters its 10th year in 2026.

Sarawak PETRONAS General Manager Norazibah Md Abu said the achievement means that it gives the company an opportunity to continue supporting events which are part of the cultural heritage and social spirit in the state.

"For PETRONAS, this 10-year achievement is very significant because for a decade, PETRONAS has been given the opportunity to be part of such a special event in Sarawak's cultural heritage and social spirit.

"Throughout this period, we have had the opportunity to witness how Sarawak Regatta continues to be a platform that unites communities through love of culture, traditional sports and healthy competitive spirit", he said as it was met at PETRONAS avenue in Kuching Belt, here.

According to him, the boat race as well as the devotional spirit amongst participants, supporters and visitors made Sarawak Regatta an event that is close in the hearts of the community.

He said support for the event was also a platform for PETRONAS to get closer to society, celebrate the uniqueness of Sarawak and support a tradition that fosters unity.

"For PETRONAS, the Regatta is not just an event but an opportunity to get closer to the community, celebrate the uniqueness of Sarawak and support a tradition that fosters unity amongst the people.

"PETRONAS' support to the Regatta is one of our various efforts to contribute to community development across Sarawak", he said.

Norazibah said the company's commitment to community development also includes youth development initiatives such as PETRONAS Youth Chess Tournament and PETRONAS Youth Football Closed Tournament, in addition to various social impact programs across Sarawak.

Commenting on the importance of Sarawak Regatta, he said that the event which has been running for over 100 years is an important part of the state's cultural heritage.

He said the Regatta was rooted in the history of communities settled along rivers and became a link between the heritage of the past with the life of today's society.

"For PETRONAS, support for the Regatta is not only to ensure that this tradition continues, but also to ensure that this unique heritage remains relevant, recognised and enjoyed by new generations as well as future generations", he said.

He said the spirit of unity that was highlighted through Sarawak Regatta demonstrates the importance of community cooperation in achieving common goals.

He said PETRONAS' support over the past decade reflects the company's commitment to preserving the tradition, strengthening community ties and fostering pride as a child of Sarawak.

"PETRONAS's dedication throughout this decade reflects our commitment to continuing to preserve a tradition that is very meaningful to the people of Sarawak. This tradition not only unites the community, but also strengthens ties between communities and promotes pride as a child of Sarawak.

"This spirit is in line with PETRONAS' goal of enriching lives by creating meaningful value, not only through business but also through contributions to society", he said.

In this regard, Norazibah hopes that the spirit of unity, cooperation and togetherness which is the identity of Sarawak Regatta will continue to be preserved in order to ensure that the state remains prosperous and harmonious.

He also encouraged more young people to join the Sarawak Regatta regardless of employment background, as long as they have a commitment and discipline in training.

"My hope is that more young people from Sarawak will participate in the Sarawak Regatta. Whether they are teachers, civil servants, engineers or doctors, everyone can join the Regatta as long as they have a commitment and discipline in training.

"I call upon all the people of Sarawak, especially those around Kuching, to join forces in stirring up the atmosphere on the Kuching Strait while watching the various events of the Sarawak Regatta 2026 boat race", he said.

He said that the participation of more young people is important to ensure that the tradition continues, as well as maintaining a spirit of entertainment and solidarity among future generations. -TVS